SimplyJazzTalk

Pianist and composer Yakir Arbib and Cameroonian virtuoso drummer and vocalist Conti Bilong released their debut album back in October, 2025. Their interpretation of the jazz standard Caravan was released 19 May, 2026, which was the same day I travelled in to London to hear them play at The Crazy Coqs venue off Piccadilly.

First, the venue: elegantly decorated in an art deco liner style red and white, bar opposite the entrance with a small stage to the right; seating was at small tables but, unlike Upstairs at Ronnie’s, at least there was room to move around; waiter/waitress service, all overseen by an efficient maître d. Second, the sound: musically OK but the sound on the mics for speaking and singing where not, to begin with, good. However, a quick word from the guy from the band’s record label soon got that sorted.

Now for the music. The evening kicked off with two upbeat funk driven numbers that drew the audience in and set the tone for what this duo is all about. The rhythms produced by Conti Bilong are mesmerising and, at times, I forgot that the sound being produced was by a drummer (I must come clean and say that I am not a fan of drum solos in jazz but what I was hearing this evening was something very different). I was captivated by the way that the tunes moved between piano and drums, the way that the keyboard sat above the piano was utilized to create a different tonal colour.

There was a wonderful ballad sung by Conti – I really did like the sound off his voice – with piano accompaniment that questioned why we, as a species, behave the way that we do. A Prelude to Afro Baroque and Afro Baroque followed and these were energetically fun numbers with great interplay were a fine example of how jazz, baroque styling and African rhythms come together in to a cohesive whole.

Wana So, from the album, takes it inspiration from the Pygmy people of Cameroon and featured a harpsichord sound, good vocals that ebbed and flowed dynamically, quickly played notes on the piano and beautifully rhythmic drumming. Then we moved into an audience participation number to a light, fresh, danceable tune with Conti Bilong leading the additional vocalists in a call and response section: all good fun.

Yakir Arbib introduced the final number of the set, Miles Davis’ All Blues, which he laughingly said took all of the All and massacred the blues: it was a fine end to a wonderful set list. The audience did call out for more and, eventually, got more on the condition that people got up and danced, which they did with gay abandon.

Another thoroughly enjoyable live gig – I have been lucky so far this year – appreciated by a small but enthusiastic audience. I took pleasure in the music and in the conversation I had with the two gentlemen to my right. My only “disappointment” was that Yafir Arbib and Conto Bilong did not play the single Caravan, which I have heard and consider to rather be good … but perhaps you can have too much of a good thing.